Limerick FC aim to maintain unbeaten start at the Markets Field

Limerick FC will be looking to stretch their unbeaten run at the Markets Field to four games on Monday evening with the visit of Shamrock Rovers to the Garryowen venue in the SSE Airtricity League re-arranged fixture (kick-off 6.30 pm).

Limerick secured an unexpected draw with league leaders Cork City on Friday night. The Shannonsiders took the lead through Billy Dennehy but Cork equalised through a Kieran Sadlier penalty before half-time. Shamrock Rovers grabbed a late winner against Dublin rivals St. Patricks Athletic through an own goal from Pats’ centre-back Kevin Toner.

It will be another stern test for the Super Blues as they may be without up to five first team players for the game. Mark O’Sullivan and Eoin Wearen will definitely be unavailable with hand and leg injuries respectively. Barry Maguire is struggling with an ankle knock. To add to the growing list of injuries, both Daniel Kearns and Danny Morrissey were removed on Friday night due to injury.

With such a quick turnaround, it is unlikely that either player will recover in time to aid the management team. As a result, it is likely that Shane Tracy will be recalled to left-back for the game. Billy Dennehy may be pushed back in to his preferred position on the wing. Limerick manager Tommy Barrett may be slow to change this area as Dennehy put in an accomplished performance against Cork at left-back.

Speaking to the club’s official website ahead of the Shamrock Rovers game, Barrett admitted that he will be forced to field a younger side than he would have wished. However, he hopes the young players relish the opportunity given to them.

“We have a lot of lads that are struggling. We’ll probably be a young side on Monday, but we’ll go into the game as enthusiastic as we can be. I look forward to it. It’s important for the lads to get game-time, and experience as well. We’ll have younger lads in the squad on the bench too – it’s important for them to experience the atmosphere of a big game.

On the opposition, Barrett, a former Shamrock Rovers player himself following a brief spell in 2007, is aware of the improvement made by the club since last season and knows that it will be a very tough game.

“Shamrock Rovers are very strong. They’re stronger than they were last year. They’re a good attacking threat and they have been very solid defensively this year as well. They have added to their squad, so whoever they put out it will be a difficult test for us.

Both Will Fitzgerald and Karl O’Sullivan impressed upon arrival as substitutes on Friday night. However, as Limerick learned to their cost in Dundalk, introducing two or three young players at the same time can have consequences. On this occasion Barrett may have little option. Conor Ellis will almost certainly retain his place upfront and Limerick supporters will be hoping to see an energetic display from the ex-Cork man.

Limerick centre-backs Darren Dennehy and Tony Whitehead came under fire following the Derry City defeat but they responded in the perfect manner as they kept Graham Cummins quiet throughout. With Gary Shaw or Daniel Carr likely to start up front for Rovers, a similar threat will be present to that of Cork and Derry.

One of the best performances of the night on Friday came from Shane Duggan who’s ball retention was superb. It significantly prevented Cork from supplying Kieran Sadlier and Karl Shephard while also afforded several rests for his defence, who were not overworked but were thankful for their captain’s industry. He produced a performance which reminded us of why Cork City and St. Patrick’s Athletic were chasing his signature two seasons ago. The captain will need to lead from the front again on Monday as he will be re-acquainted with the tenacious Greg Bolger.

Cian Coleman and Killian Cantwell produced energetic and mature performances against Cork as they protected the back four while also providing forward runs in support of Conor Ellis and Danny Morrissey. Shamrock Rovers captain Ronan Finn is one of the best players in the league and despite an injury hit start to his season, he will be a huge threat to the Limerick rearguard along with the free scoring Graham Burke.

A feature of the game on Friday was the attacking confidence shown by the full backs Dennehy and Shaun Kelly. Kelly had his best game of the 2018 season by far. In fact, the former Derry man forced a save from Mark McNulty on one of his many second-half forward runs.

Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley has been critical of the Markets Field pitch in anticipation of the clash. When speaking to the club’s official website, the former Limerick midfielder stated,

“The pitch has been poor all season, we know that because we’ve had them watched a few times. No different to Cork to be fair, it’s poor down there. Whatever the game throws up, whether it’s a football game or a second ball game we’ve just got to be ready for it and go and win the game. We did well at Markets Field last year, it was one of the games in a good run we had so hopefully we can start something like that again on Monday.”

2017 Matches:
28 April 2017: Shamrock Rovers 1-1 Limerick FC

15 August 2017: Limerick FC 0-2 Shamrock Rovers

27 October 2017: Shamrock Rovers 2-1 Limerick FC

Referee: Graham Kelly